Formulation And Evaluation Of Foot Crack Cream From Banyan Yellow Leaf Extract

The human foot is a vital organ that is constantly exposed to friction & various external environmental factors. The absence of oil glands on the sole predisposes the foot to dryness, making it more susceptible to cracking & related disorder Neglect of foot care, often due to improper footwear or hygiene, can lead to a variety of conditions, including infections caused by the penetration of dust, fungi & bacteria through cuts & fissures. Cracking can happen for a variety of reasons, such as inadequate moisture or exposed Footwear. Understanding the causes of the condition can help you prevent further Relapses if you've noticed Symptoms like cracked skin, dry skin thickening around your heels or heel pain. One type of chemical reaction that undergoes thermal decomposition is cracking  

Such as biochemical issues like flat feet, heel spurs, or prolonged standing and athlete's foot. Dryness of the skin caused cracking to occur. Cracked heels, also known as heel fissures, represent one of the most prevalent foot problems

Causes of Cracked Heels.

1) Dry Skin: The most common cause when the skin becomes too dry.

2) Excessive pressure on the heels: it happens if you are overweight, walk barefoot often or Stand for long periods.

3) Open-back footwear: - wearing sandals or slippers that leave the heels exposed can lead to cracked heels.

4) Aging: -As people get older, their skin tends to lose moisture & elasticity, making it more likely to crack.

5)  Nutritional Deficiency: Not getting enough, omega fatty acids, Vitamin E and Vitamin A can contribute to cracked heels.

6) Poor foot hygiene:  Not washing your feet regularly or not taking proper care of them can lead to cracked heels.

The aesthetic appeal of cosmetics with the action of Pharmaceutical agents. Thereby offering both skin nourishment & healing this study focuses on developing a herbal foot crack cream. For cracked heels, mostly natural treatment  &claimed to be safe is the Ayurveda  system of medicine which is one of the most important system that uses herbal Plants & Extracts for treatment of management of various disease &disease State.

Foot Healing Cream:- A foot crack cream is a topical semisolid preparation specially formulated to treat, heal & prevent cracks in the skin of the feet, especially heels. It is a medicated or cosmetic cream applied to the feet to repair cracked heels & keep the skin soft, smooth, & healthy. It works by:-Moisturizing & softening dry, thick Skin. Promoting healing of cracked or damaged skin. Reducing pain, irritation & inflammation. Forming a protective barrier to prevent further dryness and infection.

Key importance of foot crack cream in foot care: 1) Moisturization of dry skin: Deeply hydrates the skin, prevents dryness and roughness.2) Healing of cracked heels: Promotes repair of skin crack, speeds of regeneration of damaged skin 3) Pain relief: Reduced pain and discomfort caused by deep cracks, soothes irritation and burning sensation.4) Prevention of infections: Forms a protective barrier on skin, prevents entry of bacteria and fungi into cracks. 5) Softening and smoothing effect: makes hard, thickened heel skin soft and smooth, improve overall skin texture.6) Improve foot appearance: Removes dryness and roughness, gives healthy and attractive feet.7) Protection from environmental damage: Protects feet from dust, cold weather and dehydration

Introduction of Banyan yellow Leaf: The Banyan tree scientifically known as Ficus benghalensis, is a large evergreen tree widely founding tropical and subtropical region, especially in India. It holds great importance in traditional medicine. In Ayurveda, banyan leafs are considered to have high medicinal value, possessing astringent, anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties. It is anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties of the tree to heel dry cracked skin.

Botanical source of Banyan leaf: 

Scientific Name: Ficus Benghalensis

Family: Moraceae

Common Name: Banyan, Indian Banyan, Barged.

Source: Plant Kingdom.

Fig.no.1 Banyan yellow leaf

Potential Benefits of Banyan yellow leaf Extract In cream. The Yellow leaf Extract of the banyan tree is rich in bioactive compounds like flavonoids, Tannins, antioxidants, which make it useful in foot crack cream,

1) Wound healing& crack repair:  Banyan leaf Extract promotes faster healing of damaged skin and fissures. Helps regenerate skin tissue, making it ideal for foot crack cream .2) Anti-inflammatory action: Reduces swelling, redness and irritation in cracked or dry skin. Useful for soothing painful heel Cracks rough skin.3) Antibacterial Property: contains compounds like tannins & Saponin that inhibit microbial growth prevent infection in deep cracks or wounds.4) Moisturizing & soothing effect: Helps maintain Skin Hydration & Softens rough areas. Suitable for dry sensitive & damaged skin.  5) Astringent property: Tightens skin & helps reduce excessive dryness & open cracks. Improve skin texture & firmness. Banyan yellow leaf extract in cream shows wound healing, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and antibacterial, antioxidant, & moisturizing properties, making it beneficial for treating cracked dry skin, & Skin infections.

Why Banyan yellow leaf use in foot Crack cream? According to the Ayurveda, Banyan leaf is used in herbal foot crack creams primarily for its potent medicinal properties which help heal cracked soles, reduce inflammation, & soothe irritated Skin. Yellowing or mature leaves are often used because they are rich in bioactive compounds, including tannins, phenols & flavonoids contribute to their strong astringent & anti-inflammatory qualities. So, Banyan yellow leaf is used in-foot crack cream because it acts as a natural healer, antiseptic, & Skin Conditioner, making it very effective treating cracked heels.

Fig. no.2: Foot Crack

AIM AND OBJECTIVE:

AIM: Formulation and Evaluation of Foot Crack Cream from Banyan Yellow Leaf Extract.

OBJECTIVE   : 1) To formulate an herbal foot crack cream using a Banyan yellow leaves as a natural ingredient.

2) To utilize the medicinal properties of banyan tree leaves, such as wound healing and moisturizing effects.

3) To provide effective treatment for cracked heels, dryness, and rough skin.

 4) To develop a safe and natural alternative to chemical base foot creams.

 5) To evaluate the formulation for parameters like texture, spreadability, stability, and skin compatibility.

 6) To enhance skin hydration and promote the healing of foot cracks.

7) To prepare a cost effective and easily applicable product for daily use.

NEED OF STUDY: The need for the study of formulation and evaluation of foot crack cream using extract of yellow leaves from the Banyan Tree arises due to the increasing incidence of cracked heels and dry skin problems. Most marketed creams contain synthetic ingredients that may produce irritation or side effects on long-term use. Banyan yellow leaf extract contains natural phytoconstituents with possible moisturizing, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing properties, which may help in the treatment of foot cracks.

PLAN OF WORK:

Materials and Method:  1.1 Raw materials for extraction

Banyan yellow leaf – collected fresh, cleaned and dried leaves.

Solvents for extraction: Ethanol (for dried banyan yellow leaves extraction)

Ingredients for foot crack cream formulation

A) Oil phase

• Beeswax: stiffening agent
• Cetyl alcohol: Emulsifier
• Stearic acid: Consistency enhancer
• Coconut oil: Emollient

B) Aqueous Phase

• Glycerin: Humectants
• Borax: Emulsifying agent
• Distilled water: Used as solvent

C) Preservatives and additives

• Methyl Paraben: Prevents microbial    growth
• Mogra oil: provide fragrance

Equipment and instrument:

1) Soxhlet Apparatus (For leafs Extraction)

2) Weighing balance (Accurate measurement of ingredients)

3) Water bath (for control heating of sensitive ingredients)

4) Grinder (To Fine powder for extract preparation)

5) Filter paper (To Filter the leaves extract)

6) Refrigerator (To storing leaves extract)

7) Viscometer (To measure viscosity if cream)

 8) PH meter (Acidity or alkalinity of cream)

9) Sterile glassware & containers.

2) Methods: Extraction of Banyan yellow leafs

• Collect fresh Banyan leaves
• Wash and shade dry
• Powder the dried leaves
• Sieve the dried powder
• Extract using 70% Ethanol by Soxhlet for 5-6 hours
• Filter and evaporate solvent
• Store the dried extract in airtight container

Fig. No. 3: Extraction Process

Experimental Work:                                                   

Requirements:

Apparatus: Beaker, stirrer, (Glass Rod) Spatula, Measuring cylinder, Pipettes& Dropper, Water bath, Funnel.

Chemicals: Yellow Beeswax, Cetyl alcohol, stearic acid , coconut oil, Glycerin, Borax, Methyl paraben .

Instruments: PH Meter, Thermometer, Magnetic stirrer, Viscometer.

Formulation Table:

PROCEDURE:

Step 1: Preparation of Oil Phase

• In a separate beaker add Beeswax, Stearic acid, and Cetyl alcohol.
• Heat the mixture to 70–75°C
• Stir until all ingredients have melted.

Step 2: Preparation of Aqueous phase

• Measure the required quantity of distilled water in a clean beaker.
• Heat gently 60-75°C to dissolve the completely.
• Add glycerin to the solution and stir properly until uniform.
• Add the prepared banyan yellow leaf extract, mix thoroughly to ensure uniform dispersion.
• Add Triethanolamine slowly with stirring.
• Heat the aqueous phase to maintained temperature until emulsification step
• Continuously stirring to maintained uniformity                                                              

Fig.No.4: Oil Phase and Aqueous Phase

  Step 3: Emulsification

• Slowly add aqueous phase to oil phase with continuous stirring.
• Still until the creams forms.
• Use a mechanical stirrer or homogenizer to mix for about 10-15 minutes until stable cream form.

Step 4: Cooling and final addition

• Allow the emulsion to cool around 40 c with gentle stirring
• 2. Add methyl paraben as a preservative and mix well
• Add perfume or essential oil and mix gently.
•  Adjust PH (5.5-6.5) using Triethanolamine if necessary.

Step 5: Filling and Packaging: Once the cream has cooled completely, transfer it into clean   sterilized container. Store in cool dry place, away from direct sunlight.

Fig.No.5 Foot crack cream

Evaluation parameter for Banyan yellow     leaf extract cream:

To ensure the stability, effectiveness and quality of formulation, the following evaluation parameter can be assessed.

1. Physical Evaluation

• Appearance and Colour – Yellow to brownish.
• Odour – Pleasant fragrance, without any rancidity.
• Texture and consistency- Smooth, Non greasy and easy to spread.

2. PH Test: Measure using PH meter –Ideal Range: 5.6 -7.1 (6.07

Fig.no. PH Meter

3. Stability testing Accelerated Stability- Storage at 4°C at Room temperature 25°C, 40°C observe for 30 days.

4. Microbial and Preservative efficacy test                      

Microbial growth test – Conduct plate testing to check bacterial / fungal contamination

1. Prepare agar medium by dissolving water and sterilized it 121°C for 15 minutes.

2. Pour the sterilized agar into petri dish allow it to solidify.

3. Inoculate microorganisms using the sterile loop, swab, or spreader.

4. Incubate the plate at 37 °C for 24-48 hours in an inverted position.

5. Observe bacterial growth and analyze colony characteristics or zone of inhibitions.

Fig No.7: Microbial test

5. Performing Test

• Spreadability test – Find non greasiness.
• Skin non irritation test – Perform a patch test to check for skin reaction.

FigNo.8: Skin non irritation test

Result and Discussion: The herbal foot crack cream formulation with Banyan yellow leaves extract demonstrated stable physicochemical properties, characterized by a smooth and homogenous texture. Its pleasing odour and skin friendly PH of 5.6-7.1 enhances its suitability to topical application. The cream exhibited good spreadability, viscosity and wash ability ensuring effective application and compliance without irritation. Ingredients like Glycerin and coconut oil provided moisturizing benefits, while the Banyan leaf extract offered healing and anti-microbial effects. Stabilities studies conformed its effectiveness for treating cracked heels, with to no deterioration observed over time.

CONCLUSION

The present study concludes that the herbal foot crack cream prepared using Banyan yellow leaves extract was successfully formulated and evaluated. The cream showed good physical appearance, smooth texture, suitable pH, good Spreadability, and acceptable viscosity, making it suitable for topical application. The formulation was found to be stable, non-irritant, and easy to apply, with no phase separation observed during the stability study. The presence of Banyan yellow leaf extract contributed to wound healing, antimicrobial, and skin-repair activity, while glycerin and coconut oil provided moisturizing and emollient effects.

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